Fingerprint Identification Systems

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System, otherwise known as AFIS is the database of known inked fingerprints maintained at the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas. Our Department houses and operates one of 25 remote sites set up in the State of Texas.

When an officer or crime technician lifts an unidentified (latent) print at a crime scene, the print is entered into AFIS to search for any matches for identification. When AFIS returns with a candidate list, the latent print examiner will physically compare the unknown latent to the candidate print in order to effect the identification. If the latent is not identified, the print will remain in the system until a match is made or the statute of limitations expires.

Since its installation date in July 1993, our Department has entered thousands and identified hundreds of latent prints providing detectives and investigators the needed additional information to bring resolution to their cases.

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)

IAFIS is the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System has recently been made available for use by our Department. This is a national fingerprint and criminal history system database that responds to requests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help local, state and federal law enforcement officers to solve and prevent crime. The system also includes civil fingerprints, mostly of individuals who have served or are serving in the U.S. military or are employed by the federal government.

The IAFIS database houses the fingerprints and criminal histories in excess of 66 million subjects along with more than 25 million civil prints.